Stokesia laevis plant named &#39;Divinity&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct, vigorous cultivar of  Stokesia laevis  named ‘Divinity’, characterized by a compact growth habit, wide strap like leaves, and numerous white flowers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar botanicallyknown as Stokesia laevis and hereinafter referred to by the name‘Divinity’ and “the new plant”. ‘Divinity’ is a new and distinctcultivar found as a chance seedling in summer 2009 at a plant nursery inPensacola, Fla. Asexual propagation in the form of division, rootcuttings, and layering have all yielded successive generationsexhibiting the same phenotypic characteristics of the original plantshowing the new plant to be stable and reproducible in production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Stokesia laevis have not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature and light intensitywithout, however, any variance in genotype.

‘Divinity’ is a vigorous growing cultivar that produces large whiteflowers throughout the growing season. Multiple flowers are held above acompact mound of green foliage. It has proven to be easily propagatedasexually.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Divinity’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Divinity’ as a new and distinct plant.

1. Large white flowers that open with a hint of yellow in the centerthat fades to white as the flower matures.

2. Wide strap-like leaves.

3. Compact mounding growth habit.

4. Easily propagated.

5. Flowers throughout the growing season.

The closest known Stokesia laevis cultivars are ‘Mary Gregory’, ‘WhiteSurprise’ (unpatented), and ‘Colorwheel’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,718.Applicant has made the following observations of the known similarcultivars as set forth in Table 1.

TABLE 1 ‘Divinity’ ‘White Surprise’ ‘Colorwheel’ ‘Mary Gregory’ SpeciesHeight (cm) 25-30 50 20-25 30-45 30-60 Width (cm) 50-55 45 60-66 30-4530-45 Leaf Width 4-5 2-3 .8-5  2-4 1-3 (cm) Leaf Length 25-30 16-1815-25 20 15-25 (cm) Flower dia.  8-10  5-10 5-10 7-10 5-8 (cm)White-Light Purple-Dark Blue- White-Light Purple (White Purplish FlowerYellow White Center) Yellow Blue Color Growth mounding Round moundingmounding Upright Habit Clump

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possibleto obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new plant.

The photograph in FIG. 1 on the first sheet is a close-up of a new,young, ‘Divinity’ flower showing the yellow tinted center.

The photograph in FIG. 2 on the second sheet shows a mature ‘Divinity’flower after the yellow tint has faded.

The photograph in FIG. 3 on the third sheet shows the growth habit ofthe new plant ‘Divinity’ as well as the strap like leaves and height of‘Divinity’ flowers.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements of the new Stokesia variety describe plants grown in fullsun outdoor conditions in a trial garden located in Pensacola, Fla. Thefollowing color references are based on the 2007 edition of The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except when common dictionary termsare used.

-   Botanical classification: Stokesia laevis cultivar ‘Divinity’.-   Parentage: Chance seedling of Stokesia laevis.-   Propagation:    -   -   Method.—by division and cuttings.        -   Finish time in a quart size pot.—Four months.        -   Root description.—fleshy.        -   Rooting habit.—fibrous.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant shape and habit.—herbaceous perennial with a uniform            mounding habit. Flowering begins May and continues through            fall.        -   Plant size.—foliage height at flowering from soil line to            the top of the leaves 30 to 35 cm and 50 to 55 cm wide at            widest point.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Basal, simple, semi-evergreen, fleshy,            oblong-lanceolate to spatulate, margins are entire, apex is            acute, base cuneate to attenuate. Midveins are impressed on            upper surface and prominent on the underside.        -   Foliage size.—25 to 30 cm long; 4 to 5 cm wide.        -   Color.—Green Group N137A top surface and Green group 137B            underside.-   Flower description:    -   -   Buds.—4 to 5, 1.5 cm wide buds per inflorescence on 35 cm            tall leafy stems (Green Group 143C), held above the foliage.            Stems are 4.75 cm in diameter at the base and 0.5 cm            distally. The peduncle is 4 to 13 cm long and wooly. The            bracts are 2 to 3 cm long , Yellow-Green Group 146B, and            number 30 to 40.        -   Flowers.—Single, perfect, radiate arranged in corymbs.            Single flowers are 8 to 10 cm across and consist of 2 series            of rays. 15 to 25 outer ray florets are 3.5 to 5 cm long and            1.5 to 2.25 cm wide. Base is pleated and widens at the            distal end with 5 lobes deeply cut. There are 70 to 90 inner            florets, 2-3 cm long and 1 to 1.5 cm wide. Filaments are 1            cm long , Greyed Yellow group 161D. Anthers 0.2 to 0.3 cm            long. Blooms are White Group 155B at the center and the rays            are N155A.        -   Flowering.—Normal flowering season begins early spring and            continues intermittently through late fall. Flowers take 3            days to open fully.-   Seed production: Achenes with 3 to 4 angles, 0.5 cm long, 0.2 cm    wide, Grey-Brown Group 199C. Persistent pappus. Fruit set Heavy.-   Disease resistance: Comparable to other members of this species.-   Pests: No insect problems have been observed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Stokesia plantnamed ‘Divinity’, as illustrated and described.